Sick Building Syndrome and Other Mold Health Problems

What is sick building syndrome?

Sick building syndrome refers to a condition whereby people in an office or building always seem to be getting sick with no real idea about what is causing the problem. The surprising thing is that going to work could be what is making everyone ill. It is only over a very long period that people begin to associate the work place with their health problems and during this time workers can end up taking many sick days.

What does mold have to do with sick building syndrome?

It has been known for a long time that there are numerous mold health problems, and research is now showing that in many cases mold is the cause of sick building syndrome. This is not to say that all episodes of sick building syndrome are caused by mold, but it does seem to be the cause in many instances. In fact a television documentary in the UK found that a surprising number of the cases of sick building syndrome were caused by mold.

What types of mold health problems are there?

Mold can cause quite a few different health problems for people. There has been a link discovered between exposure to certain types of mold and miscarriage, and there is also an association between it and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. If people have a reduced immune system then they are at risk of developing an infection if exposed to mold. It also makes breathing problems like asthma worse and it can cause allergic responses in people. Some types of mold can be toxic and lead to all types of problems like nausea, headache, fatigue, skin problems, eye problems, and other symptoms.

Is sick building syndrome on the increase?

Unfortunately it does seem like sick building syndrome is on the increase. One of the main reasons for this is that attempts to reduce carbon emissions have produced buildings with poor ventilation. This is likely to mean more mold health problems, because mold thrives in conditions where there is poor ventilation and plenty of moisture.

How can I protect myself from mold health problems at work?

The first thing will be to identify the mold problem. If people in your workplace always seem to be getting sick then this is something well worth investigating. Most business owners will be receptive to the idea because they are losing money through lost sick days. Once mold is discovered it can usually be dealt with quickly and effectively.

Charles Boday is a Certified Mold Inspector and Contractor, graduate from Certified Mold Inspector & Contractors Institute. He has worked with some of the countries top scientists seeking alternative poison-free mold remediation techniques. He has testified as an expert foundation witness and is the Author of the books, The Ultra Dry Basement.